Electric radiant heating panel

ABSTRACT

A heating system employing electromagnetic wave energy propagation to produce heat at the point of absorption of the electromagnetic waves. The system includes a radiator having a vitreous coating within which is positioned a heat source. A reflector is positioned rearwardly of the antenna in proximity of said heat source. The heat source is operable to cause primary electromagnetic wave energy emission from the vitreous coated radiator and the reflector is operable to cause the electromagnetic wave energy emitted by the rearward surface of the antenna to be reflected back upon the antenna to cause enhanced emission therefrom. The emitted electromagnetic waves are absorbed by remotely disposed objects and humans and converted to heat energy.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Anthony J. Governale Manhasset; Roll Zurwelle, Port Washington, N.Y. [21] AppLNo. 790,063 [22] Filed Jan.9, 1969 [45] Patented Feb. 16, 1971 [73] Assignee Elektra Systems, Inc.

Farmingdale,N.Y.'

[54] ELECTRIC RADIANT HEATING PANEL 1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S.Cl. 219/345; 165/53,165/133;219/342,219/347,2l9/536 [51] Int.Cl H05b3/20; F24d13/00 [50] Fieldot'Search 219/342, 347; 165/133, 54, 53,49; 219/345, 536 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,502,148 3/1950 Grothouse 219/345 2,636,973 4/1953 Muller 219/347 2,799,764 7/1957 Chandler..... 219/345 2,939,807 6/1960 Needham.... 2l9/345X 3,057,989 10/1962 Needham..... 219/345 3,062,945 11/1962 Glynn 219/345 Primary Examiner-A. Bartis ArrorneyJames P. Malone ABSTRACT: A heating system employing electromagnetic I wave energy propagation to produce heat at the point of absorption of the electromagnetic waves. The system includes a radiator having a vitreous coating within which is positioned a heat source. A reflector is positioned rearwardly of the antenna in proximity of said heat source. The heat source is operable to cause primary electromagnetic wave energy emission from the vitreous coated radiator and the reflector is operable to cause the electromagnetic wave energy emitted by the rearward surface of the antenna to be reflected back upon the antenna to cause enhanced emission therefrom. The emitted electromagnetic waves are absorbed by remotely disposed objects and humans and converted to heat energy.

*PATENIE'DFEBIBIQYI- 3.564.200

' SHEEIIUF'Z I INVENTORS ANTHONY J. GOVERNALE fiOLF ZURWELLE Mgr- A TOR-NE radiant heating system of the v therein;

ELECTRIC RADIANT HEATING PANEL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l-Ieretofore electrical heating systems employed the techniques of conduction and convection to transmit heat by heating av physical medium, such as air. These systems, .although an improvement over prior heating systems, were rather inefficient and thus quite expensive.

SUMMARY electrical radiant heating system employing electromagnetic wave energy propagation as the heating medium.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical radiant heating system of the aforementioned type employing a radiator in conjunction with a heat source to cause electromagnetic wave energy propagation from the radiator.

- It is still another object of the present invention to provide an electrical radiant heating system of the aforementioned type wherein the antenna includes a vitreous coating having a high emissivity factor of electromagnetic wave energy.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical radiant heating systemof the aforementioned type wherein the system includes a reflector which is operable in conjunction with said antenna to produce enhanced emission of electromagnetic wave energy from said antenna.

In general, the heating system of the present invention employs electromagnetic wave energy propagation for direct heating and includes a heating source, preferably of the electrical resistance type, a vitreous coated radiator surrounding said heat source, and a reflector positioned rearwardly of said radiator and heat source combination. The heat source is operable to cause primary electromagnetic energy emission from the vitreous coated radiator some of which energy is beamed frontwardly into space and some of which energy is beamed rearwardly towards the reflector. The primary emission reaching the reflector is reflected back again to the radiator causing enhanced electromagnetic energy emission therefrom, which enhanced emission is beamed outwardly into space reinforcing the primary energy emission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a room having an electrical present invention disposed FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an electrical radiant heating unit constructed in accordance with the principles of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an electrical radiant heating unit taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention similar to that of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic representation of the radiant heating unit shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic representation of a plurality of individual heating units, as shown in FIG. 3, connected in tandem.

DESCRIPTION or THE raasaaaao EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a room having a plurality of electrical radiant heating units connected in tandem and secured dividual units at heights of 7 feet or more above the floor results in the most comfortable heating arrangement accom panied by minimum power consumption and lowest initial 1 capital investment. However, for some applications it may be more convenient, and thus desirable to install the individual units 10, either as a baseboard or as wall panels.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the electrical radiant heating unit 10 comprises a backshield I2 and a front panel 14. The backshield 12 is secured to the wall 16 by means of screws 18 passing through openings 20 provided in the backshield. The backshield is provided with a recess 22 in the upper portion thereof. The panel 14 includes an upper lip 24 which is adapted to be placed in the recess 22 to position the front panel with respect to the backshield. The front panel is positionally secured to the backshield by screws 26 which threadedly engage the holes 28 in the bottom lip 30 of the front panel 14 and the holes 32 in the bottom lip 34 of the backshield.

The front panel 14 serves as a radiator and is composed of a core 36 made from a high heat transfer material and a vitreous coating 38 surrounding the core. The core 36 may be fabricated from aluminum alloys, copper, magnesium or any other suitable high heat transfer material. The vitreous coating 38 may be formed of the basic silicates, soda, lime, metallic oxides of aluminum, beryllium, etc., or from any other suitable material.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the interior or rear surface of the radiator is formed with an open boss 40 defining a longitudinal channel 42 therewithin. Disposed and positionally secured within the channel 42 is an electrical resistance element 44.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, the electrical resistance element 44 is connected to a power source 46 via a conductor or lead 48 connected to one end thereof, and a conductor 50 connected to the other end thereof. Another lead 51' isprovided for connecting several of the units in tandem, when so desired, as will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG.

The inner surface of the backshield, denoted by the reference numeral 52, is a reflector and is constructed so as to reflect the electromagnetic energy supplied thereto, back to the radiating element, the radiator 14. The construction of the reflector 52 for home-heating application, is shown in FIG. 3, wherein it is seen that the construction is of an irregular configuration which is not parabolic. The reason, or desirability, of this construction is to provide a configuration which will reflect the energy supplied thereto in a highly diffuse manner.

The reflector 52 may be formed from high reflectivity galvanized steel, polished aluminum or polished or plated substrates. Also, anygold or silver plate surface may also be employed as the reflector. The backshield 12 may be fabricated of multilayers of aluminum foil interleafed with asbestos or some other similar material, each of the progressive aluminum foil layers being required to reflect less and less energy.

In one application of the present invention for home-heating use, it was found that a backshield formed of two layers of aluminum and asbestos was quite adequate. Also the use of a backshield composed of highly reflective galvanized steel was quite satisfactory.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an embodiment of the electrical radiant heating unit 10 of the present invention for use in industrial applications, such as baking, drying, or curing. In industrial applications, it is desirable to enhance the sion supplied thereto by the radiator 14 back to the radiator and outwardly therefrom. The energy reflected back to the radiator 14 by the parabolic reflector 52a is mainly in the form of parallel rays, as indicated by the dotted arrows in FIG. 4. The primary electromagnetic wave energy emission of the radiator 14 is shown by the solid line arrows, whereby it can be seen that the primary energy radiation is diffuse.

In the operation of the electrical radiant heating unit 10, the electrical resistance element 44 is connected to the power source 46 via the conductors 48 and 50. The current supplied to the electrical resistance heating element 44 causes the same to be heatedto a predetermined temperature which is dependent upon the resistance element chosen and the power supply thereto. The increase in temperature of the resistance element 44 causes it to generate heatwhich greatly increases the activity within the atoms of the radiator structure, which activity results in substantial emission of electromagnetic energy from the vitreous coating of the radiator. This energy is beamed into space equally in all directions. The electromagnetic energy produced by the primary emission from the front surface of the radiator structure 14 and more particular from the vitreous coating 38 thereof, is emitted at objects and the skin of humans, absorbed thereby and converted to heat.

- The primary energy emission from the rear surface of the radiator 14, and more particularly from the vitreous coating 38 thereof, impinges upon the reflector.52, or 52a, and is reflected thereby to the radiator'and enhances electromagnetic energy emission which increases the energy transmission and radiant heating imparted by' the unit 10.

It is thus seen that the heat imparted is by means of the absorption of the emission of electromagnetic energy, and not by conduction or convection produced by the heating of the environmental air.

It is to be noted that although the present invention has been described utilizing an electrical resistance element as the heat source, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize any other desirable type of heat source. The important feature is that the temperature of the radiator be raised to a predetermined level. ln this respect, it has been found that the temperature which results in the radiation of electromagnetic energy from the radiator 14 (vitreous coating 38) having a wave length in the range of 4.0-7.0 microns, is preferable. These wave lengths are those which are most compatible with that of the human body in that they can be absorbed by the human body for maximum comfort. Moreover, carbon dioxide and moisture-laden air have a high affinity for electromagnetic energy having wave lengths from 4.0-7.0 microns. This results in the instant heating of these particles by absorption of the electromagneticenergy. Thus, the air in the heat space in front of the radiator 14 is also heated indirectly but sufficiently so that it permits temperature control in the heated space by means of a standard air thermostat;

It will be apparentthat since the present system employs indirect heating by the absorption of radiated electromagnetic length to height ratio, total effective surface area, etc. Thusv the provision of a vitreous coating having a high emission of electromagnetic energy when heated, results in the high efficiency and comfort heating with minimum power consumption. The vitreous coating is selected to have an emissivity factor of about 92-95 percent. It is also desireable that the vitreous coating have matted finish, which enhances the emissivity thereof. Since the human skin has a high absorptivity factor most of the electromagnetic energy incident upon the human skin will be absorbed thereby.

The electromagnetic energy is beamed outwardly from the radiator into the heat space at a speed of 186,000 miles per second, whereby the energy waves reach the body and objects instantaneously and become instantaneously converted to heat. The effectiveness of the system is further enhanced by the fact that the wave length of the electromagnetic energy are those which the human skin can most comfortably absorb. When the emissivity is high, a high percentage of the input energy is emitted as electromagnetic energy to thereby result in a highly efficient heating system.

With reference now to FIG. 6, there is shown an electrical schematic of the plurality of individual electrical radiant heating units 10 connected in tandem, as shown in FIG. I.

Each of the electrical radiating heating units 10 includes an electrical resistance element 44, a lead 48, a lead 50 and a lead 51.

The power source 46 has one terminal thereof connected to each of the leads 50, the other terminal thereof is connected to the first two leads 5]. The lead 51 of the third illustrated unit 10'is left unconnected. a

The resistance elements 44 have one end thereof connected to the lead 51 of the preceding unit via the lead 48; the first lead 48 being directly connected to the source 46. The other ends of the resistance elements are all connected to their respective leads 50.

lt will thus be seen that a plurality of units 10 can be connected in tandem so as to provide adequate heating of an enclosed area, whether there are humans therein or not.

It is thus seen that we have provided a new and novel heating system which instantly heats the human body and other objects by beaming electromagnetic energy waves thereat, or in the case of industrial applications by directing the energy at the object, and at a wave length which can best be absorbed by the human body or objects comfortably and efficiently without causing any deleterious effects, as would be the case of sunburn by exposure to the rays of the sun. The above is performed with maximum efficient use of input power.

-While 'we haveshown and described various embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there are many changes, modifications and improvements which may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

We claim: I

l. A radiant heating system. comprising:

means for emitting electromagnetic wave energy upon the application of heat thereto,

means for applying heat to said emitting means to cause emission therefrom, whereby said electromagnetic wave' energy'is absorbed by inanimate and animate objects and converted to heat energy; a

said emitting means comprising a plate radiator having a vitreous coating on its front and rear faces;

said means for applying heat comprising an elongated electrical heating element; a reflector; saidreflector being disposed rearwardly of said radiator and said heat applying means; i

said vitreous coated radiator being operable to produce primary emission of electromagnetic energy upon the application of heat thereto;

said reflector being operable to reflect the primary emission from said radiator back thereon to cause enhanced emission of electromagnetic energy from said vitreous coated radiator;

said radiator being formed with "an elongated open boss on the rear surface thereof; said opening in said boss defining an elongated channel; said electrical resistance element being positionally secured within said channel;

said radiator, said electrical resistance element, and said reflector forming an enclosed electrical radiant heating acute angle to its front surface said extension being received in the slots in said side member; and

said radiator having a second extension at its lower end releasably connected to the lower end of said reflector member. 

1. A radiant heating system comprising: means for emitting electromagnetic wave energy upon the application of heat thereto, means for applying heat to said emitting means to cause emission therefrom, whereby said electromagnetic wave energy is absorbed by inanimatE and animate objects and converted to heat energy; said emitting means comprising a plate radiator having a vitreous coating on its front and rear faces; said means for applying heat comprising an elongated electrical heating element; a reflector; said reflector being disposed rearwardly of said radiator and said heat applying means; said vitreous coated radiator being operable to produce primary emission of electromagnetic energy upon the application of heat thereto; said reflector being operable to reflect the primary emission from said radiator back thereon to cause enhanced emission of electromagnetic energy from said vitreous coated radiator; said radiator being formed with an elongated open boss on the rear surface thereof; said opening in said boss defining an elongated channel; said electrical resistance element being positionally secured within said channel; said radiator, said electrical resistance element, and said reflector forming an enclosed electrical radiant heating unit; wherein said radiator forms the front wall of said heating unit; said reflector forms the rear wall of said heating unit; wherein said reflector has a central vertical surface portion adapted to be secured to a wall and upper and lower surface portions at obtuse angles to said vertical surface portion; the dimensions of said surface portions being chosen so as to provide an enclosure mounting for said radiator so that the said radiator is mounted at an angle to the vertical with its front face facing downwardly toward the floor and objects to be heated by radiation, and a pair of side members connected to said reflector for closing the ends of the space between the radiator and the reflector, and each provided with a forwardly open slot; said radiator having a first extension at its upper end at an acute angle to its front surface said extension being received in the slots in said side member; and said radiator having a second extension at its lower end releasably connected to the lower end of said reflector member. 